Frisco And Plano Gynecology
This page describes some of the gynecologic services we provide to our patients in the Frisco, Plano and surrounding areas. You may click on a topic, below, to jump to a specific part of this page:
Sexually Transmitted Infections and Vaccinations
A wide variety of diseases are attributable to bacterial and viral infections primarily acquired during sexual contact. These diseases are increasing in reported incidence at an alarming rate, undoubtedly because of increased sexual activity at younger ages, permissive sexual attitudes, the availability of effective contraception and abortion services, and increased physician awareness. Routine and sometimes specific testing is recommended to women who are sexually active. Increasing testing sensitivity and even prevention vaccinations are routinely recommended to certain individuals. We offer comprehensive screening and Human Papilloma Virus / HPV vaccinations to females who fit the recommended criteria supported by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Other commonly screened STD’s are Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and Hepatitis.
Contraception
Nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. Therefore, the challenge of preconception care lies not only in addressing pregnancy planning for women who seek medical care and consultation specifically in anticipation of a planned pregnancy but also in educating and screening all reproductively capable women on an ongoing basis to identify potential maternal and fetal risks and hazards to pregnancy before and between pregnancies.
Many forms of effective contraception are available. Discussion with your healthcare provider will determine what modality is best for you and your partner’s desires for pregnancy prevention. Emergency contraception is always an option, but having an effective contraceptive method that you feel confident and comfortable with is the better alternative for pregnancy planning.
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
Abnormal vaginal bleeding can frequently be evaluated and diagnosed with a thorough history and physical examination with minimal testing. Most ovulatory menstrual cycles are regular, cyclic and predictable. The typical interval is between 25-34 days apart and lasting 3-7 days in duration with an average blood loss of 30-80 cc. When there is a deviation of this pattern, there may be an abnormality that should be investigated. Common terminology to explain these abnormal variations are:
- menorrhagia (cyclic menstrual bleeding that is excessive in duration and/or amount);
- ligomenorrhea (bleeding or light spotting that occurs at intervals longer than 35 days);
- metrorrhagia (bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals);
and
- menometrorrhagia (excessive and prolonged bleeding at frequent and irregular intervals)
Dysmenorrhea
Most ovulatory women experience some form of dysmenorrhea or “menstrual cramps” each month. When these monthly discomforts affect the normal function of a woman’s daily routine, it is usually considered severe and warrants a gynecologic evaluation. Typical “cramps” are usually alleviated with timed use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs commonly known as NSAIDs. These are common medications found over the counter in the form of Ibuprofen or Naproxen. Sometimes these medications only partially or inadequately relieve the symptoms, of which further evaluation and gynecologic treatment is needed. Common gynecologic conditions related to dysmenorrhea include: uterine leiomyomata, endometriosis, adenomyosis, pelvic infection, and endometrial or cervical polyps.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse and Stress Urinary Incontinence
Pelvic organ prolapsed, a type of pelvic floor disorder, can affect many women. In fact, about 1/3
of all women can be affected by this condition in their lifetime. The pelvic floor consists of a group
of muscles supporting the pelvic area. This structure is important in keeping the uterus, vagina, bladder,
small bowel and rectum in its proper orientation. When there is a disruption or injury to this support,
such as through childbirth, relaxation or prolapse of these structures occurs. Common symptoms resulting
from such injuries include urinary incontinence (mostly with “stress” events such as coughing or sneezing),
difficulty with bowel movements, low back pain, pressure or fullness in the pelvic area, painful sexual
intercourse, the sensation of something “falling out” vaginally and even irregular vaginal bleeding.
Fortunately, these conditions can be treated with either or a combination of surgical and non-surgical
interventions that you can expect a gynecologist to provide.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain can be caused by a multitude of reasons. It can be related to the female reproductive organs
(vagina, cervix, uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes), gastrointestinal in nature (appendicitis,
constipation, diverticulitis), from the urinary tract (bladder infections, kidney stones), musculoskeletal
in origin (hernias, pelvic fractures, nerve injuries) or even referred or psychogenic. A gynecologist is
specially trained to evaluate women with this condition, whether it is acute or chronic in nature. A
complete history and physical examination will usually determine the etiology of acute pelvic pain. When
the pain is of a chronic duration (mostly described as occurring for 6 months or longer), more intensive
evaluation is usually needed. This may include laboratory testing as well as radiographic imaging (such
as an ultrasound) and even diagnostic procedures (laparoscopy, colonoscopy, and cystoscopy). Determining
the etiology behind chronic pelvic pain can be a very challenging endeavor. Having a good relationship with
your gynecologist with allow him / her to develop the best plan of management for you.
Vaginal Infections
Vaginal discharge is one of the three most common presenting complaints in gynecology. The most common causes
of lower genital tract inflammation are due to vulvovaginal candidiasis (yeast infections), bacterial
vaginosis, trichomonal infections, bacterial vaginitis and chemical vulvovaginitis. Fortunately, a
gynecologist can easily diagnose these conditions with a history, physical examination and office
laboratory tests which usually include a saline wet mount of the discharge and a measurement of the
vaginal acidity (pH level). Other conditions that may present with an abnormal vaginal discharge
include sexually transmitted infections (such as herpes, Chlamydia, gonorrhea) and retained foreign
bodies. A gynecologist is specially trained to diagnose and manage any conditions pertaining to the
pelvic organs.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a benign condition in which endometrial glands (cells lining the uterine cavity) are found
in extra-uterine locations. It is estimated that 10-20% of all reproductive aged women are affected by this
condition that can range from having no symptoms to causing severe debilitating pain. Unfortunately, nothing
about endometriosis is simple. This condition usually presents itself with chronic pelvic pain (either
constant or intermittent), dyspareunia (pain with sexual intercourse), dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual
cramps) and infertility. The standard test to diagnose this condition is to obtain tissue samples confirming
endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity, usually done via laparoscopy. Since this condition is very
common, minimally invasive surgery with laparoscopy is often not needed to begin treatment for this
condition. Both medical and surgical options are used and often successful in treating endometriosis.
Management plans should be based on the patient’s desires and needs with the medical expertise of her
gynecologist.
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